Project Typologies
The Features of the WELL Building Standard could be applied across many real estate sectors, but Version 1.0 is optimized for commercial and institutional office buildings. To be sure, not all of the WELL Features apply to all office buildings; the number and type of Features applicable depend on the stage of construction. The WELL Building Standard is therefore organized into typologies, which take into account the specific set of considerations that are unique to a particular building type or phase of construction. For the WELL Building Standard v1.0, there are three project typologies.
| TYPOLOGY | PRECONDITIONS | OPTIMIZATIONS | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core and Shell Compliance | 25 | 26 | 51 |
| Tenant Improvements Certification | 37 | 64 | 101 |
| New Construction and Major Renovations Certification | 41 | 61 | 102 |
Core and Shell Compliance
Core and Shell Compliance applies to ground-up projects where the tenants are unknown or multi-tenant buildings seeking to implement the basic conditions necessary to achieve the WELL Building Standard. The Core and Shell typology addresses the building envelope, window locations and glazing, building proportions, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, as well as water quality as it is supplied to the building. This typology also encourages consideration of the site in relation to amenities and opportunities for wellness.
WELL Certification is not applicable at the Core and Shell stage because many factors affecting indoor environmental quality and tenant policy have not been established. Core and Shell Compliance is not a certification—it is a verified compliance path that helps make WELL Certification easier for Tenant Improvement. Compliance is used to denote the limited number of Features that can be implemented, and the award of WELL Core and Shell Compliance is a one-time determination based on the condition and performance of the core and shell project as of the date of award. For Core and Shell projects to achieve compliance, all Preconditions must be met, as well at least one Optimization from every Concept.
Tenant Improvements Certification
Projects located in an existing buildings can achieve certification under the Tenant Improvements typology, with a combination of design and technology upgrades as well as with the appropriate selection of building materials, finishes and furniture. Projects may achieve WELL Silver Certification by meeting all Preconditions and may achieve Gold and Platinum certification if sufficient WELL Optimizations are adopted. In Core and Shell Complaint buildings, some WELL Features may already apply towards tenant improvement certification, making certification easier. This is not, however, a prerequisite, as WELL Certification may also be achieved in buildings that have not received an award of WELL Core and Shell Compliance.
New Construction and Major Renovations Certification
New Construction and Major Renovations present the greatest opportunities for the highest levels of WELL Certification. This typology is, in essence, the sum of requirements for the two previous typologies. The model WELL Certified™ building is one in which the requirements of the WELL Building Standard are considered beginning in the design phase, and implemented through construction and operations.